Plural of deity; divine beings or gods worshipped in religious traditions. Supernatural entities believed to possess special powers and authority over natural forces or human affairs.
From Latin 'deitas,' meaning 'divine nature,' derived from 'deus' (god). The word entered Middle English through Old French 'deité,' maintaining its connection to divine essence and godhood across languages.
Every culture has independently developed concepts of deities, suggesting something fundamental about human psychology and our need to understand forces beyond our control. Interestingly, the word 'deity' is gender-neutral, unlike 'god' or 'goddess,' making it perfect for modern comparative religion studies.
Deities have been assigned gender across cultures; male gods often dominate pantheons and creation narratives while female deities are marginalized or sexualized. Language patterns preserve these imbalances.
When discussing deity systems, explicitly acknowledge female, non-binary, and culturally specific divine representations. Avoid assuming male pronouns for unspecified deities.
Many pantheons include powerful female deities (Hindu Shakti, Greek Hera, Egyptian Sekhmet) whose authority was later diminished in translation and interpretation.
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